NASCAR's Jeff Gordon addresses the crowd at the 2014 SEMA Show as a celebrity guest of Axalta Coating Systems.

By Gina Ledesma

Let SEMA know about the special attraction or famous guest appearance at your booth by submitting the Celebrity Appearance Notification form by Friday, September 4.

By promoting special appearances such as industry icons, TV personalities, celebrities or famous vehicles, SEMA Show exhibitors can gain additional exposure and drive booth traffic at the Show.

Use the notification to have your special appearance publicized. Simply include your company name, booth number, the date and time that the special personality or attraction will be available to Showgoers. The information will be provided to attendees and media during the Show.



A common reason that companies host a celebrity is to drive booth traffic by providing buyers with a identifiable, visual connection of the company's target market. However, celebrities are not the only tactic that draws buyer attention.

SEMA Show research identifies giveaways as one of the most effective methods to attract buyers. In fact, 2014 SEMA Show buyers cited freebies among the top five leading reasons for them to visit an exhibitor’s booth, along with product or vehicle displays, product demonstrations and a unique booth layout/design.

Questions? Contact Gina Ledesma at ginal@sema.org or 909-978-6668.

Exhibitors can learn how to get the most out of their 2015 SEMA Show, as well as additional options to reach buyers, by contacting an account rep at sales@sema.org or 909-396-0289.

	The SEMA Show Directory is one of the strongest tools buyers use to learn about exhibiting companies, their products and location at the Show.

By Jason Catullo

The deadline to update exhibitor information for the printed 2015 SEMA Show Directory is next Friday, August 28.

The SEMA Show Directory is one of the strongest tools buyers use to learn about exhibiting companies and their products. In addition, more than two-thirds of Show buyers say the directory is a useful tool for navigating the Show.

To review or update your company information, please follow the instructions below.

1. Go to SEMA Show Directory Update
2. Select your company from the list
3. Enter your company password: (your password is nine numerical digits followed by the letter "O")
4. Click "login"

Additional Show Directory Update instructions are available at www.SEMAShow.com/show-directory-instructions.

Contact Brendan Gillespie at brendang@sema.org for more information.

While updating their listing, exhibitors should ensure that they select the applicable product categories. Only an exhibitor’s product category will be included in the printed 2015 SEMA Show Directory.

	The SEMA Show Directory is one of the strongest tools buyers use to learn about exhibiting companies, their products and location at the Show.

By Jason Catullo

The deadline to update exhibitor information for the printed 2015 SEMA Show Directory is next Friday, August 28.

The SEMA Show Directory is one of the strongest tools buyers use to learn about exhibiting companies and their products. In addition, more than two-thirds of Show buyers say the directory is a useful tool for navigating the Show.

To review or update your company information, please follow the instructions below.

1. Go to SEMA Show Directory Update
2. Select your company from the list
3. Enter your company password: (your password is nine numerical digits followed by the letter "O")
4. Click "login"

Additional Show Directory Update instructions are available at www.SEMAShow.com/show-directory-instructions.

Contact Brendan Gillespie at brendang@sema.org for more information.

While updating their listing, exhibitors should ensure that they select the applicable product categories. Only an exhibitor’s product category will be included in the printed 2015 SEMA Show Directory.

	The SEMA Show Directory is one of the strongest tools buyers use to learn about exhibiting companies, their products and location at the Show.

By Jason Catullo

The deadline to update exhibitor information for the printed 2015 SEMA Show Directory is next Friday, August 28.

The SEMA Show Directory is one of the strongest tools buyers use to learn about exhibiting companies and their products. In addition, more than two-thirds of Show buyers say the directory is a useful tool for navigating the Show.

To review or update your company information, please follow the instructions below.

1. Go to SEMA Show Directory Update
2. Select your company from the list
3. Enter your company password: (your password is nine numerical digits followed by the letter "O")
4. Click "login"

Additional Show Directory Update instructions are available at www.SEMAShow.com/show-directory-instructions.

Contact Brendan Gillespie at brendang@sema.org for more information.

While updating their listing, exhibitors should ensure that they select the applicable product categories. Only an exhibitor’s product category will be included in the printed 2015 SEMA Show Directory.

By SEMA Editors

SpiedBilde's man in Europe captured some of the first images of the Audi R8 Spyder looking downright sexy.

In a move that's becoming quite common with today's supercars, it is inevitable that the second-generation '16 Audi R8 will be offered as a Spyder in the coming years—and SpiedBilde's got the first shots of the car near the Nürburgring. The images show the Audi R8 V10 in convertible guise and, unsurprisingly, the new design of the second-gen R8 works quite well without a fixed roof.

As for the Audi R8 V10 coupe, it utilizes a 5.2L V10 engine delivering 540 hp, or 610 hp in the "Plus" variant that will be available for the Spyder, too. The latter sprints to 100 km/h in a brisk 3.2 seconds, to 200 km/h in 9.9 seconds and features a 330 km/h top speed.

Due to the additional weight the Spyder will carry, however, those acceleration times will increase slightly with a minor reduction in top speed also likely.

By SEMA Editors

SpiedBilde's man in Europe captured some of the first images of the Audi R8 Spyder looking downright sexy.

In a move that's becoming quite common with today's supercars, it is inevitable that the second-generation '16 Audi R8 will be offered as a Spyder in the coming years—and SpiedBilde's got the first shots of the car near the Nürburgring. The images show the Audi R8 V10 in convertible guise and, unsurprisingly, the new design of the second-gen R8 works quite well without a fixed roof.

As for the Audi R8 V10 coupe, it utilizes a 5.2L V10 engine delivering 540 hp, or 610 hp in the "Plus" variant that will be available for the Spyder, too. The latter sprints to 100 km/h in a brisk 3.2 seconds, to 200 km/h in 9.9 seconds and features a 330 km/h top speed.

Due to the additional weight the Spyder will carry, however, those acceleration times will increase slightly with a minor reduction in top speed also likely.

By SEMA Editors

SpiedBilde's man in Europe captured some of the first images of the Audi R8 Spyder looking downright sexy.

In a move that's becoming quite common with today's supercars, it is inevitable that the second-generation '16 Audi R8 will be offered as a Spyder in the coming years—and SpiedBilde's got the first shots of the car near the Nürburgring. The images show the Audi R8 V10 in convertible guise and, unsurprisingly, the new design of the second-gen R8 works quite well without a fixed roof.

As for the Audi R8 V10 coupe, it utilizes a 5.2L V10 engine delivering 540 hp, or 610 hp in the "Plus" variant that will be available for the Spyder, too. The latter sprints to 100 km/h in a brisk 3.2 seconds, to 200 km/h in 9.9 seconds and features a 330 km/h top speed.

Due to the additional weight the Spyder will carry, however, those acceleration times will increase slightly with a minor reduction in top speed also likely.

By SEMA Editors

SpiedBilde's man in Europe captured some of the first images of the Audi R8 Spyder looking downright sexy.

In a move that's becoming quite common with today's supercars, it is inevitable that the second-generation '16 Audi R8 will be offered as a Spyder in the coming years—and SpiedBilde's got the first shots of the car near the Nürburgring. The images show the Audi R8 V10 in convertible guise and, unsurprisingly, the new design of the second-gen R8 works quite well without a fixed roof.

As for the Audi R8 V10 coupe, it utilizes a 5.2L V10 engine delivering 540 hp, or 610 hp in the "Plus" variant that will be available for the Spyder, too. The latter sprints to 100 km/h in a brisk 3.2 seconds, to 200 km/h in 9.9 seconds and features a 330 km/h top speed.

Due to the additional weight the Spyder will carry, however, those acceleration times will increase slightly with a minor reduction in top speed also likely.

	SEMA’s Launch Pad program helps foster innovation and entrepreneurial spirit in the youngest generation of automotive industry.

By Bryan Harrison

The SEMA Launch Pad program, now in its third year, is well underway for 2015. Launch Pad is a program designed to foster innovation and entrepreneurial spirit in the youngest generation of automotive industry leaders by growing fledgling businesses from concept to profitable success. 

Online votes will choose the top five candidates who will hit the stage during the SEMA Show in Las Vegas to present their business ideas for a chance to win the grand prize. 

Use the SEMA Show Dashboard to get your free tickets to the Launch Pad live event the week of the SEMA Show. The event is listed as "(LP) SEMA Launch Pad - The Next Great Business: Entrepreneurs Pitch Their Ideas."

The best business idea will be selected by the panel of celebrity and industry-expert judges. The grand-prize winner will take home prizes that range from advertising and PR consulting to UPS services, event sponsorships and much more. 

Show your support for innovation in the aftermarket by voting on the best pitch and registering to attend the event, which will be held on Wednesday, November 4, from 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. in the SEMA Show Super Session Room N258 (Second Floor North Hall).

	SEMA’s Launch Pad program helps foster innovation and entrepreneurial spirit in the youngest generation of automotive industry.

By Bryan Harrison

The SEMA Launch Pad program, now in its third year, is well underway for 2015. Launch Pad is a program designed to foster innovation and entrepreneurial spirit in the youngest generation of automotive industry leaders by growing fledgling businesses from concept to profitable success. 

Online votes will choose the top five candidates who will hit the stage during the SEMA Show in Las Vegas to present their business ideas for a chance to win the grand prize. 

Use the SEMA Show Dashboard to get your free tickets to the Launch Pad live event the week of the SEMA Show. The event is listed as "(LP) SEMA Launch Pad - The Next Great Business: Entrepreneurs Pitch Their Ideas."

The best business idea will be selected by the panel of celebrity and industry-expert judges. The grand-prize winner will take home prizes that range from advertising and PR consulting to UPS services, event sponsorships and much more. 

Show your support for innovation in the aftermarket by voting on the best pitch and registering to attend the event, which will be held on Wednesday, November 4, from 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. in the SEMA Show Super Session Room N258 (Second Floor North Hall).